This fall, Duct Tape Productions (DTP) is following up its spring production of “The Addams Family” with another movie-based show they hope will entertain. From Thursday, Nov. 14 to Saturday, Nov. 16, Smithies will have the opportunity to see “Shrek the Musical” in all its verdant (and, reportedly, heartwarming) glory.
Unlike DTP shows of the last few years, this semester the production is co-directed, which Emily Prendergast ’21 and Heather Hannon ’21 say only added to the creative experience. Both long-time members of the student organization who have played numerous characters over the years, I asked them about what it was like to direct as a pair and what we can expect to see from DTP in the spring.
Why did you decide to co-direct for this production?
Heather Hannon: I’d been toying with the idea of proposing “Shrek” for a while, but this just seemed like the right time and the right show. In regards to co-directing, Emily and I seem to be a pretty solid team. Where I’m a bit more rigid, Emily is more flexible. While I tend to be very detail-oriented, Emily has a better sense of the big picture. We can be a little chaotic at times, but I couldn’t have done this show by myself, and I think we really balance each other out in a way that keeps us (and everyone around us) a little more sane, happy and healthy.
How is this arrangement working out? What do you see as the benefits of directing together?
Emily Prendergast: It’s really fun working with another person because then you get multiple perspectives! I’d consider myself a really indecisive person, and I like to look at things from multiple angles before I actually decide. Having Heather as a co-director means that she comes up with things that I might not think about and vice versa! Also, I think it really works for the cast to have multiple people to talk to because then Heather and I can cover a lot of ground at once.
HH: I’m super thankful to have somebody else on board with this massive project. It’s so reassuring to be able to bounce ideas off one another and refine them before presenting new blocking or choreography to the cast. I think that having two directors is also really beneficial for the show as a whole, as Emily and I can split tasks, spending more time on blocking/choreography than we’d otherwise be able to, which results in a higher production quality.
Have you experienced challenges balancing two visions of what the show should look like?
HH: I won’t pretend to know much about astrology, but this is an Aries/Pisces duo, so we’re bound to run into some challenges with leadership styles. We tend to express our frustrations differently, which means we have to work extra hard to communicate with each other in high-stress situations. Overall, though, I feel as though we’ve been on the same page for much of this process and, even when we’re not, we’ve gotten quite good at compromising.
What are you most excited to show the Smith community when “Shrek” debuts?
EP: Honestly, “Shrek” is such a heartwarming show, and I adore every single one of our cast members! It’s so amazing to think about all the people who have worked on this show from the cast, the crew, the pit and DTP’s board. So many people have put a lot of work into this, and I’m excited for Smith to witness all the talented people that are a part of DTP! Not only do we have an amazing team, but we’re also working with a really amazing story about finding yourself and loving yourself. Most people wouldn’t expect this story to be a tearjerker, but honestly it gets me every time. I think Smith would really appreciate the message this story has, especially the meme energy behind it! Besides, who doesn’t love an unconventional fairytale?
HH: I’m just really excited for people to see how hard the whole cast and crew have worked all semester. Emily and I may be directing, but this process is a group effort and I can’t even begin to express how proud I am of everyone involved. We’re a student-run org, so we don’t have the highest production value, but we do have some pretty impressive talent onstage and a lot of ridiculously talented people working behind the scenes. From our costumes, sets and props to our music, choreography and blocking (and everything in between), this whole show is brimming with heart, spirit, a whole lot of love and at least a few rolls of (latex-free) duct tape.
Any hints about the spring production? What can we expect to see in Duct Tape Production’s next show?
HH: We’re gearing up for “High School Musical 2,” directed by the wonderful Molly Loughney ’22. With Molly in charge, I have no doubt it will be an amazingly fun, epic production!
All shows will be held in Davis Ballroom. Doors open at 7:30 pm and shows start at 8 pm. Tickets are $3 for students.
